Thou here, my friend? MARIA: My soul did urge me here. I saw thy star shining in fullest strength. JOHANNES: This strength can I experience in myself. MARIA: So closely are we one, that thy soul's life Allows its light to shine forth in my soul. JOHANNES: Maria, then thou also art aware Of what has just revealed itself to me. Man's first conviction has just come to me, And I have gained the certainty of self. I feel that power to guide me everywhere Lies in these words: O man, feel thou thyself. (From rocks and springs resounds: 'O man, feel thou thyself!') Curtain SCENE 10 A room for meditation as in Scene 3. THEODOSIUS (in spirit-garb): Now canst thou feel all worlds within thyself: So now feel me as love-power of all worlds. A nature, that is lighted up by me, Feels its own being's power enhanced, whene'er It gives itself to give another joy. Thus do I work with true creative joy To build the worlds. Without me none can live, And naught without my strength can e'er exist. JOHANNES: So thou dost stand before my spirit's eye, Joy-giver of all worlds. My spirit's strength Doth feel creative joy, when I behold Thee as the fruit of self-experience. Within the temple to my spirit's eye Once didst thou show thyself, yet at that time I knew not whether dream or truth appeared. But now the scales have fallen from mine eyes, Which kept the spirit's light concealed from me: I know now that thou really dost exist. I will reveal thy nature in my deeds; And they shall work salvation through thy power. To Benedictus too I owe deep thanks: Through wisdom hath he given me the strength To turn my spirit's sight unto thy world. THEODOSIUS: Feel me in thy soul-depths, and bear my power To all the worlds. Thus, serving Love's behests Thou shalt experience true blessedness. JOHANNES: I feel thy presence through its warming light; I feel creative power arise in me. (Theodosius disappears.) He hath departed: but he will return And give me strength from out the springs of love. His light can disappear but for awhile; Then, in its own existence, it lives on. I can resign myself unto my Self, And feel Love's very self in mine own soul: By Love uplifted I can feel my Self: Love shall through me reveal himself to man. (He grows uncertain, as is gradually made manifest by his gestures.)